India-Russia defence relations in aftermath of Sindhurakshak

Aug 18 2013

Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra

specially for RIR

Both the countries cannot simply make the defence partnership hostage to one mishap as that of INS Sindhurakshak. Photo: Indra-2012 drills. Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / mil.ru

The leaders of both the countries have taken a wise course in looking into the submarine accident in a cool headed, calibrated manner.

Speculations
about a frosty defence relationship between India and Russia aftermath of the
Russian made submarine blasted and sunk off the coast Mumbai have not yet held
ground. Though the damage to the submarine and loss of lives will be matters of
concern for both the countries, it may be farfetched to argue that the incident
on the eve of India’s Independence Day would mar bilateral defence relations
and affect projects undertaken by both the countries.

As an
evidence of this, it can be pointed out that political leaders and top officials
from neither country have pronounced anything which would prove as indication
of deteriorating defence relations. The Indian Navy has set up a committee to
investigate into the mishap. Neither of the governments has indulged in a blame
game. There are perhaps differences of opinions and perceptions about the
mishap and as some of the news reports extensively highlighted one aspect at
the cost of the other, the leaders of both the countries have taken a wise
course in looking into the incident in a cool headed, calibrated manner.

The
investigation by the Indian team would throw more light on the incident and
help fix responsibilities with the help of Russian experts who helped
modernising submarine as per the Indian requirement. There are also sections of
media which do not rule out the possibility of sabotage in the mishap. Out of
14 submarines Indian navy had possessed, 10 are of Soviet/Russian made
including this ill-fated kilo-class diesel-electric submarine that was inducted
into Indian navy early this year.

As a
further mark of smooth defence relations, the Indian Defence Secretary R. K.
Mathur will continue his visit to Russia this week with a high-powered
tri-services team to discuss bilateral defence issues including the Admiral
Gorshkov aircraft carrier, rechristened INS Vikramaditya and fifth generation
fighter aircrafts. Though the carrier agreement and retrofitting have passed
through many testy waters, the good thing is that neither India nor Russia gave
up on this deal despite hitches. This itself shows persistence and seriousness
on part of both the countries to continue and revitalise defence cooperation.
It is common knowledge that India’s defence preparedness would come to a halt
minus Russian cooperation as more than half of India’s arms and armaments are
Soviet/Russian origin and for their smooth functioning it is but imperative
that defence cooperation continues.

Russian
expertise particularly in terms of procuring spare parts, repair and
retrofitting is necessary for Indian defence. Russia has also provided India
state of the art technologies and both the countries are involved in joint
design and development and weapons (a particular privilege that both the
countries enjoy, which is rare in case of other countries).

Particularly
in the context of Vikramaditya, the 45000-tonne carrier has successfully
undergone sea trials in Barents Sea this July, and will further undergo
aviation trials including the landing and take-off of fighter aircraft from its
runway in White Sea in coming months, before joining Indian navy in the end of
this year. The acquisition of this carrier at the cost of about $2.3 billion
will not only strengthen India’s defence preparedness but also put it in an
advantageous position in relation to its neighbours. The 284 metre-long and
60-metre-high carrier will be fitted with modern communication systems, a
telephone exchange, pumps, hygiene and galley equipment, lifts and many more
facilities.

Related:

Besides the
Vikramaditya, India and Russia will deliberate on a range of defence related
issues during the visit of Indian defence secretary. As per a report “the two
sides are also expected to discuss the futuristic joint development projects
for the armed forces.” There are possibilities that both sides will discuss the
upgrade of one more Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhushastra, one among 10
submarines India procured from Russia. In early 1980s India had procured these
submarines from Russia and the deliveries were made from 1986 to 2000. It has
not yet been announced officially whether the recent mishap will be part of
deliberation during the visit of the secretary.

Both the
countries cannot simply make the defence partnership hostage to one mishap as
that of INS Sindhurakshak. The relations are much deeper. Taking a leaf from
the document of the Strategic Partnership document signed in 2000 that sought
“to impart a qualitatively new character and long term perspective to their
(India and Russia) multifaceted bilateral relations and to actively develop
them in political, economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and
other fields, in the years ahead and into the 21st century,” the countries
would do well to smooth sail the recent incident and further strengthen the
defence partnership while learning lessons from the recent mishap. The visit of
Defence Secretary in the next week is a step in that direction.

Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda
Mahapatra is an Indian commentator. His areas of interests include conflict,
terrorism, peace and development, Kashmir, South Asia, and strategic aspects of
Eurasian politics.